Government and politics - help and advice.

Hi all,

I a contemplating taking GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS at college next year, however, I am not certain on it.

Would you be able to summarise the course? Perhaps give an in-depth overview of it? Why should I take it? How is it beneficial? Why is it important?

I would be extremely grateful if you could help me!

Thank you and kind regards.

Hi all,

I a contemplating taking GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS at college next year, however, I am not certain on it.

Would you be able to summarise the course? Perhaps give an in-depth overview of it? Why should I take it? How is it beneficial? Why is it important?

I would be extremely grateful if you could help me!

Thank you and kind regards.

I assume you're doing Edexcel. In the AS year there are two units. The first covers democracy, elections, political parties and pressure groups. The second covers the constitution, parliament, cabinet and the judiciary. In the Unit 1 paper, you answer two questions, both compromising of a 5 marker, 10 marker and 25 marker. In Unit 3, one is a source question, compromising of a 5, 10 and 25 marker. The other is a 40 marker. In both papers you don't have to answer all the topics, so you can get away with not learning all of them (I didn't learn parties or the judiciary).

In A2 there are several different units you can take, including topics such as the EU and American politics. My school did political ideologies. Unit 3 was liberalism, conservatism, socialism and anarchism. Unit 4 was multiculturalism, feminism, nationalism and ecologism. This time there are three 15 markers and one 45 marker to answer.

You should take it for several reasons. Firstly, it's topical. Especially unit 1 and 2. You have to use contemporary examples, and it feels like a really relevant subject (unlike, perhaps, something like history). Secondly, related to that, it gives you a greater understanding of the news. Like I had no idea about the world going on around me until I did politics. Thirdly, it connects nicely to other humanity subjects. It can enhance your understanding of subjects such as history and geography. And finally, it's just really interesting. A2 is especially fascinating. I loved politics so much that I've decided to do it for university.

Anyway, that's a brief summary and why you should do politics. Hope that helps!

Hello,

I would highly recommend politics any day, any time. I loved doing A-level politics so much, largely thanks to my awesome teachers.

If you do decide to take politics, there will come a point where you will suddenly feel so enlightened. You will actually understand current affairs and you'll be able to engage in intelligent conversation about what's going on and possible policy alternatives. This not only useful for your self confidence and personal satisfaction, but also for interviews. People who understand politics tend to have an advantage when answering questions during interviews, because they can relate their responses to current affairs, which hardly fails to impress.

It was once viewed as a soft subject, but certainly not anymore. Even prestigious unis such as LSE have updated their website, including Government and Politics in their list of preferred subjects. It also goes really well with Economics. In fact, when you start the subject, you'll realise that politics is economics and economics is politics

I have to say though, the first 2 months are quite tough....not because of the content, but because everything is so new. You've probably never done politics before, so you might feel slightly disoriented at first. But trust me, persevere. Don't give up. It gets sooo much better after November, because you would have become more acquainted with the subject and the news would begin to make so much sense.

I hope you do take up the subject. It is indescribably rewarding. If you do, visit my website http://politicsaid.blogspot.com/. It's a website to help people just starting AS or A2 Government and Politics with essays and questions. It's still work in progress, but it should be ready soon.

All the best!

Anyway, that's a brief summary and why you should do politics. Hope that helps!

Hello, I would highly recommend politics any day, any time. I loved doing A-level politics so much, largely thanks to my awesome teachers. I hope you do take up the subject. It is indescribably rewarding. If you do, visit my website http://politicsaid.blogspot.com/. It's a website to help people just starting AS or A2 Government and Politics with essays and questions. It's still work in progress, but it should be ready soon. All the best!

Do either of you happen to have the technique or format for answering the various marker questions?